by T. Sae-Low
The journey to Sargatum was exactly what Aric needed. The scenic landscapes and quiet surroundings gave him plenty of time to think things through. Back at Lake Raphia, everywhere he looked he was reminded of his failures thus far; the funeral pyre of the Krakens, Xander’s commanding presence, the cliff’s edge where death had whispered in his ear. Out here he could refocus his mind, rekindle his spirit, and figure out a way to successfully accomplish his mission. Ten days ride and the towering fortress of Major Kymon’s camp loomed off in the distance. Aric had left immediately following his discussion with Xander the previous night; Captain Titan accompanied the young prince along with a small contingent of soldiers.
“How it is that I’m not at Lake Raphia, preparing for the Renzai counterattack confounds me. Instead, I am to accompany baby prince, so he can have a talk with that callous dog, Major Kymon. A true waste of time, I tell you!” Titan kicked his horse, sending the beast galloping down the road ahead of the group.
A soldier with short, dark hair and a round face laughed out loud. “Baby prince! That’s a good one, Titan.”
Aric didn’t even bother reacting. Out here his powers were limited. He could also hear the whisperings of the soldiers behind him, cursing Xander for this farce of a mission. Instead, he kept his eyes on the scenic landscapes of the Issus Valley. Rolling plains of green covered the land as far as the eye could see. Wind rustling across the open grass brought with it a comforting breeze that seemed to carry Aric’s worries away, one by one. Off to his right, Aric could see wild animals roaming the hills, keeping their distance, but following his contingent with curious and hungry eyes. Knowing that his soldiers were ordered to protect him, especially having Titan around, helped to alleviate those fears.
Aric kept his eyes ahead of him, watching the birds fly high above. He wondered where they could be headed. Perhaps to the same place his childhood pets Castor and Pollux absconded to before leaving a broken hearted boy with an empty birdcage. He would never forget that day, unable to determine where they had gone; Aric simply gave up any attempt to find them. He had cried for days praying for their safe return, but they never did. That was many years ago, but he thought about his current circumstances. Perhaps now he could do things differently. Maybe he would resist the temptation to surrender again.
Aric observed with great curiosity as a lion chased a group of monkeys across the plains. The monkeys rushed towards the nearest tree, seeking the safety of its elevated branches. The lion was a physical specimen, with the speed and strength advantage. Quickly it gained on its targets, coming within a couple feet of the trailing monkey. The monkey at the head of the group made it to the base of the tree and quickly climbed, finding its way to a branch hanging above its predator. The remaining monkeys had begun to climb when the lion swiped with its massive paw, striking down two of them. The closest monkey turned and paused, hesitating over whether to help or not, but it was too late. The lion pounced on it, catching it by its tail and biting it in half. The lion eyed the monkey in the tree, eager to finish off all of its intended targets. The lion tried to climb the tree, but only managed a couple of feet before losing its grip and falling back to the ground. The lion persisted, but began to grow weary as the monkey looked on intently. For all its strength, the lion would not get what it desired. The monkey, though, trying to still defend itself threw branches and twigs, causing no significant injury to the lion, but managing to irritate the larger beast immensely. The lion roared loudly in frustration, but the monkey, knowing full well it was out of danger, paid it no attention. Instead, the mischievous simian unleashed its ultimate chemical weapon, urinating down upon the lion. The lion backed away immediately, either in disgust or utter confusion. It gave up the chase. It collected the three monkeys it had killed, and walked away.
Aric laughed at the scene. The audacity of the monkey to stoop to such low tactics in order to survive was humorous to him.
“The lion should’ve just cut down the tree. Then he would’ve easily killed the monkey,” spoke Titan.
Aric wanted to respond by stating the obvious futility of trying to cut down the large tree, but instead simply nodded in agreement.
As they made their way over a small inlet, they could see the Mountains of the Ancients off in the distance. Sargatum had been built into the side of the mountain range, offering any who occupied it a view of the entire Issus Valley below. It was here that the Vicedonians obtained their intelligence on enemy movements. The Renzai needed to maintain their positions far to the east of the Disputed Lands in order to remain undetected. Strategically, Sargatum was one of the most critical areas in the war, and the Vicedonians possessed it. Below, in the lush Issus Valley, the Vicedonian colony of Alesiuss had been planted, offering an abundant source of crops for the kingdom. The Renzai had tried on a number of occasions to raze Alesiuss, to cut off the food supply, but every move was easily anticipated. Counter attacks were quickly deployed, nullifying any enemy incursion. It was here that Major Kymon had been assigned. Most likely because it kept him occupied, but more importantly, it kept him isolated from the rest of the army.
As Aric’s company approached, the colossal guardians of the Ancients could still be seen, carved into the mountainside. Only two guardians were still distinguishable, as the other two had eroded away over time. They graced the entire side of the mountain, dubbed the Draco Guardians by the people from centuries past; they wore armor covered in dragon teeth and scales. Their feet consisted of three pointed claws, immaculately adorned by armor detailed with an array of mysterious visages. Images of dragons, gargoyles, and beautiful women were carved into their legs. Their torsos consisted of a dragon’s head, fangs covering the ribcage of the ancient guardian. Giant talons jutted out from its elbows, its head covered in a crown of spikes. It held a massive shield that covered its left side. In its right hand, it wielded a deadly scythe. Its eyes, silent and vigilant, watched over the surrounding lands, ready to defend its home.
A group of scouts caught sight of the new arrivals and began their descent from atop the mountain.
“Make your discussion quick so we can go back to Lake Raphia, baby prince. More important business to do there.” Titan’s frustration had only grown since the last time he had complained. Again, the soldier with short, dark hair and a round face laughed out loud.
Aric eyed him for a moment. “I’ll try to make it quick, Titan.” Aric waited patiently for the scouts to retrieve them. He could hear the remaining soldiers secretly waging private bets on whether Aric would succeed or not in obtaining the needed reinforcements.
The group of scouts approached quickly. Their commander, a tall man with deep-set eyes, spoke out. “My prince, your arrival is unexpected. Last we heard from intelligence was that you and Prince Xander were fortifying Lake Raphia. Congratulations on the victory, my lord.”
The soldiers chuckled at the notion of Aric’s involvement in the victory. The one with the short, dark hair blurted out, “Yes, Prince Aric destroyed the entire Renzai army by himself!”
The scout could not make sense of the situation, and why Prince Aric was allowing such outright disrespect, but it was not his place to say.
“Escort me to Major Kymon. I have urgent business with him.”
“Right away, my lord.”
“And also…” Aric slowly turned towards the soldier with short, dark hair. He raised his finger and pointed directly at him. “Execute that soldier. He has spoken out against the Vicedonian Kingdom. We all know the punishment for treason is death.”
The scouts were initially confused, but knew better than to ignore orders. They surrounded the soldier, his face gone completely white. The other soldiers did not make a sound, unsure if they would be next.
“Put him on his knees.” Aric commanded.
The scouts forced him down. The commander pulled out his sword. He placed the edge of the blade on the back of the soldier’s neck. The soldier shuddered from the cold steel. The commander raised the sword, ready
to deliver the final blow.
“Wait!” Aric called out. He dismounted his horse and approached the soldier.
The soldier grabbed onto Aric’s feet, begging forgiveness. “Please, my lord. I never meant any disrespect! I beg of you, spare my life! Please!”
“Do not worry soldier, I only meant to teach you a lesson. I know you will never disrespect your prince again.” Aric slowly made his way towards the soldier’s back.
“Thank you, mmmy lord! You—”
The soldier’s head landed in his own hands, before tumbling to the ground. His eyes rolled back into his head, mouth agape, his final expression captured perfectly for the other soldiers to see. Aric wiped his bloody sword on the dead soldier’s cape.
Aric glared at the remainder of his troops, before mounting his horse. “Commander, if you will, my matter with Major Kymon is urgent.”
Aric told himself he would get these reinforcements no matter what the cost. With everything he had endured thus far, he had still survived. He was going to finish what he started.
Chapter 45